Eighties pop stars the The Bangles have slammed Simon Cowell for exploiting young music hopefuls.

The band, which had hits with Eternal Flame and Manic Monday, say the music mogul goes too far.

Sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson - in the band with singer Susanna Hoffs - believe Cowell's template for TV success was bad news.

Vicki said: "I think this putting people up to knock them down has gone too far. It is excessive meanness - Simon Cowell is to blame and I think he takes it too far."

Her sister also sounded a word of caution about how it might exploit vulnerable people. Debbi said: "The TV companies have a responsibility to make sure people are not damaged by being laughed at by millions."

However the girls were delighted to hear girl band Hustle had covered their track Walk Like An Egyptian on the show. Susanna said: "It's great people still like our music." The Bangles are headlining the Pinktober charity concert at London's Indig02 tonight.